HELP! Really Want Replies !!Need Some Expert Planning Advice PLEASE !

[bellenbuzz]

This is WDW Resort and Cruise Planning:
Looking for Planning tips, suggestions and best absolute way to go about this:
Family of 4, 2 DD's ages 5 & 8 for November 2006 vacation.
Want: 3 day Cruise first then 6 nights at WDW Resort. Anyone done this ?? Is this possible? How to go about booking ? Really excited if this works out it would be a great vacation. When to start booking ? PLEASE OH PLEASE, any Ideas, Suggestions, Comments !!!
Looking forward to a Magical Time!
THANKS a Big Ole' Disney Bunch!

 

[ILoveWDW2003]

Book the cruise as soon as you can - the sooner you book, the better your rates will be.

I recommend Dream Come True Vacations or Dreams Unlimited - if you are going to use a Disney-specialist travel agent.

 

[ktglads]

I second the booking of the cruise as soon as you know the dates you want and they are available. I want to say they are out a year and a half before the dates, but I could be wrong. Disney offers early booking discounts so you will be able to save a little bit of money by doing that.

I did this last summer, booked my cruise through travelocity and then did my own rooms at disney and universal afterwards. I waited for discounts before booking my rooms, but you could always book at full price and apply a code later on if you feel more comfortable having everything booked

 

[dreams4disney]

I would say to go with Dreams Unlimited. They will give you a free quote and do all the planning for you.

Sounds like fun! ENJOY!!

 

[F1Julie]

As soon as you know what dates you want for your cruise, book it. Also, have you considered doing the cruise after WDW? That's how I would do it. I'd rather have the relaxing part of the vacation at the end of the trip.

 

[kimmar067]

...PM'ing my DSis, AspiringCindy. She and her DFam have done a cruise/resort vac and they LOVED it!!

 

[bellenbuzz]

KEEP YOUR COMMENTS COMING PLEASE. It seems that I should get on the Cruise portion ASAP. Any other tips, please feel free to let me know.

 

[mommiechewie]

I truly beileive you should book the cruise and land portion seperate. book the cruise first so you get the best possible choices of rooms etc and then book the land portion later when the rates are released. I found we got a better deal that way.
time is of the essance.

 

[swilphil]

As soon as you know what dates you want for your cruise, book it. Also, have you considered doing the cruise after WDW? That's how I would do it. I'd rather have the relaxing part of the vacation at the end of the trip.

I would also do the cruise after 6 days in WDW

 

[john2u]

I would do the land portion of the vacation first then the cruise. We did a land and cruise package last Feb. To me the cruise is a way to relax. This is just my thought. We are in the process of planning our 7 day Disney cruise can not wait!!

Have fun planning

you will enjoy every moment of your vacation

John

 

[goofy4tink]

Another vote for doing the cruise after WDW trip. It's so relaxing that way. I would book through Dreams Unlimited. They will get you the best rate possible. And especially since you are new at this, they are really helpful and knowledgable. They can walk you thru it all. We have used them to book our trips a lot, especially if I don't feel like sitting by the computer, waiting for the code rates to come out. Have fun planning your trip and welcome to the DisBoards!

 

[DisneyDW]

We did our own package with cruise first then land because the scheduling worked out better for us and we wanted 2 land rooms. I would be fine doing land/cruise or cruise/land. I'm not sure if you are flying in but if you are, consider the time you fly in if you cruise first. You want to give yourself plenty of time for delays because the hotel will wait on you but that ship does not!

If you have a pref for cabin type, the earlier you book, the better. Your cabin will be assigned when you book. If Disney does happen to discount the cabins, you can apply the discount to your res even if you are already booked. Usually the earlier you book, the better for pricing and it doesn't get any better than that.

If anyone gets motion sick, try to stick to the middle of the ship. Balconies are great but $$$.

Sounds fun!